Re: How is Shakiti today? (plus MK update and questions - sorry wrote a book)
Shakiti is doing very well today. He slept with me last night instead of under the bed. He hasn't gotten sick - and last night when I called everybody for canned food, he came running with an appetite and he ate on his own. I'm not surehe can handle dry food yet but I'm glad I don't need to finger feed him anymore. He must be better because he is tormenting Tiffany again - that's very much back to normal. Shakititook his medicine like a champ this morning. I didn't give him the pill for the tummy ache because he may not need it now - but if he gets sick, I will. He's doing his turn at neighborhood watch in the front window and watching cat TV (the bird feeders). Mama Kitty is fantastic. She's been out front stalking a beetle and pouncing on things I can't even see. My neighbor came by (total cat person)and said she thinks that Mama Kitty looks better and feels better than she did before she ever got sick. Her coat is nice and shiny and she's so alert that she'sthree steps ahead of everything going on in her world. When you call her - she comes running with her tail straight up in the air. A lot of her success is due to the fact that I learned here that there truly is hope for kitties with feline leukemia.She sends everybody head butts. Othello goes in to be tested (and vaccinated)for FeVL next Friday and I thinkthen we'll only have Alexisand Phelix left to go (plus, I think I'm going to continue B12 shots for MK...will check to see if vet will let me do that myself). Does anybody here do the pet insurance thing? Will it cover Feline Leukemia if it's a pre-existing condition? If so - who do you use and what do you think about it? I've spent over $1260 in vet bills the past few months between getting treatments for Mama Kitty and tests/vaccines for everybody else (plus a couple of dentals)- and it will be about $450 in the next month or two to get everybody up to date. I'm not sure that's any cheaper than the insurance would be for 8 cats. Too bad I can't write this all off on my taxes. Also - would like to get your take on what is the best canned food. I've been feeding fancy feast just because it is such a hit and because I can get Mama Kitty to eat it when she won't eat anything else. I've tried the Chicken Soup light formula canned food for the kids and they aren't crazy about it. They really don't care for Authority either. Since these issues with Mama Kitty though - I've been a lot more concerned about diet and want to feed them the best I can find but it won't do me a bit of good if they won't eat it. I'm not above getting sushi for them either LOL Who needs money, right? It's not everything. grateful for every good day, elizabeth In a message dated 6/24/2006 4:37:10 P.M. Central Daylight Time, ETrent writes: He tried to take a few bites from the dried food buffet today but wasn't able to keep it down. I'm still giving him something for upset tummy and he's doing a good job of letting mommy feed him the a/d. He seems to be feeling good otherwise though and he's been a complete angel about taking his medicine. In a message dated 6/24/2006 3:56:49 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hey Elizabeth,How is Shakiti doing today? Is he eating on his ownyet?:)Wendy__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: How is Shakiti today? (plus MK update and questions - sorry wrote a book)
Great news! Nice to hear that MK may be doing better than she ever has. You gotta pat yourself on the back for that one (and her, too). Good shiny coats reassure cat parents in ways that we like to be reassured. Regarding your canned food question, Ember is addicted to Innova EVO. We had a bit of a digestive issue a few weeks back, and I switched her to California Natural (probably too quickly). She would eat some of it, sometimes. I got fairly worried about her, so I put her back on Innova EVO. She really attacks that stuff. It's nice to see her hop right on it when I place the dish in front of her. We did try Felidae a long time ago, but she just doesn't like it as much as the IE. Ember's 2 cents. Lance
Re: How is Shakiti today? (plus MK update and questions - sorry wrote a book)
Hey Elizabeth, I am so happy and relieved to hear that Shakiti is doing so wonderfully!!! You're such a great cat mom to take care of all your furbabies like you do. I have Veterinary Pet Insurance. It's ok. I pay about $90 a year for each kitty I have insured. When Cricket was initially diagnosed with FeLV in 2003, I submitted $208 in fees, and they reimbursed me $117. There is a $50 deductible per claim though. Then two years later, when he developed the anemia, I submitted two different claims, one for $245 and one for $102, and they paid $108 and $47 respectively. So it certainly isn't an investment, but it does help if you have a sick kitty. Every bit helps. I've paid on two other of my kitties for almost ten years now, and haven't had to make but a few claims, but what it has done in the past is give me peace of mind that if I am looking at an expensive treatment, I don't have to make a choice between life or death. Some other examples of benefits are: They pay up to $800 towards chemo treatments (174$ per treatment). They pay up to $110 towards a transfusion, which is between 3 and 4 hundred dollars on average. If a kitty develops hyperthyroidism and you want to do the radioiodine treatment on her, which is between 1 to 1.5k$, they reimburse $528. You have to pay everything up front and then submit for reimbursement. I am actually considering dropping coverage on the two I still have covered, but am not sure yet. I like having the peace of mind. Once I am financially secure in the next couple of years, I will drop it for sure because I should be able to cover whatever comes along. I don't remember if they ask about pre-existing conditions. I don't think it's like a human, where you have to get a physical first, but I've been with them so long, I don't really remember. I think you just sign them up. I know what you mean about writing off pet treatments on your taxes. That thought comes into my mind every time I get back into the car after visiting the vet!!! I feed my babies Innova Evo wet and dry. Only 3 out of 4 of my kitties like it. I think it's great. I believe we pay about 28$ for a case of it. Here's to Shakiti and Mama Kitty kicking butt and taking names (in the health department of course, not the bunny dept.) ;) :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: How is Shakiti today? (plus MK update and questions - sorry wrote a book)
Thank you Lance and Ember. We'll order some. elizabeth In a message dated 6/25/2006 3:55:09 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Great news! Nice to hear that MK may be doing better than she ever has. You gotta pat yourself on the back for that one (and her, too). Good shiny coats reassure cat parents in ways that we like to be reassured.Regarding your canned food question, Ember is addicted to Innova EVO. We had a bit of a digestive issue a few weeks back, and I switched her to California Natural (probably too quickly). She would eat some of it, sometimes. I got fairly worried about her, so I put her back on Innova EVO. She really attacks that stuff. It's nice to see her hop right on it when I place the dish in front of her. We did try Felidae a long time ago, but she just doesn't like it as much as the IE.Ember's 2 cents.Lance
Re: How is Shakiti today? (plus MK update and questions - sorry wrote a book)
Thank you, Wendy, for the insurance info. It sounds like it might help a good deal. Do they cover regular check-ups at all? I'll go online and see what I can find out. I thought I might also talk to my vet and see if they have any information. I ordered some EVO from PetFoodDirect. You can get 24 5.5oz cans for $25.99 or 12/13.2 oz cons for $17.49...plus they always give you at least a 5% discount. You still have to pay for shipping though but in my case, it's cheaper than driving to some town where I might be able to find it. I've kept MK inside some over the weekend trying to discourage her from tormenting the bunnies. Thank goodnessshe hasn't felt the need to bring giftsthe pastday or so. She's definitely on bug patrol though - I would hate to be one. elizabeth In a message dated 6/25/2006 6:53:45 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hey Elizabeth,I am so happy and relieved to hear that Shakiti isdoing so wonderfully!!! You're such a great cat momto take care of all your furbabies like you do. I have Veterinary Pet Insurance. It's ok. I payabout $90 a year for each kitty I have insured. WhenCricket was initially diagnosed with FeLV in 2003, Isubmitted $208 in fees, and they reimbursed me $117. There is a $50 deductible per claim though. Then twoyears later, when he developed the anemia, Isubmitted two different claims, one for $245 and onefor $102, and they paid $108 and $47 respectively. Soit certainly isn't an investment, but it does help ifyou have a sick kitty. Every bit helps. I've paid ontwo other of my kitties for almost ten years now, andhaven't had to make but a few claims, but what it hasdone in the past is give me peace of mind that if I amlooking at an expensive treatment, I don't have tomake a choice between life or death. Some otherexamples of benefits are: They pay up to $800 towardschemo treatments (174$ per treatment). They pay up to$110 towards a transfusion, which is between 3 and 4hundred dollars on average. If a kitty developshyperthyroidism and you want to do the radioiodinetreatment on her, which is between 1 to 1.5k$, theyreimburse $528. You have to pay everything up frontand then submit for reimbursement. I am actuallyconsidering dropping coverage on the two I still havecovered, but am not sure yet. I like having the peaceof mind. Once I am financially secure in the nextcouple of years, I will drop it for sure because Ishould be able to cover whatever comes along. I don'tremember if they ask about pre-existing conditions. Idon't think it's like a human, where you have to get aphysical first, but I've been with them so long, Idon't really remember. I think you just sign them up.I know what you mean about writing off pet treatmentson your taxes. That thought comes into my mind everytime I get back into the car after visiting the vet!!!I feed my babies Innova Evo wet and dry. Only 3 outof 4 of my kitties like it. I think it's great. Ibelieve we pay about 28$ for a case of it. Here's to Shakiti and Mama Kitty kicking butt andtaking names (in the health department of course, notthe bunny dept.) ;):)Wendy__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
